Ban all weapons or not ? (Spam ? - I trust your common sense on this.).)

Ode to a Grasshopper · Thu May 23, 2002 7:27 am

Just slip a Playboy through one of the cracks, that should determine whether he's there once and for all.

Besides, you still won.

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:37 am

Originally posted by Ode to a Grasshopper
Just slip a Playboy through one of the cracks, that should determine whether he's there once and for all.

Besides, you still won.

Rofl!

Well, I HAVE been hearing odd creaky noices at night around the house. I had blamed it on HLD installing cameras, or Beldin because, well...it's Beldin

Beldin · Post by **Beldin** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:38 am

@Viv: Since I left the SPAM - question to "your common sense" , I'm NOT surprised that *cough* SOMEONE *cough* started to spam it up...

Originally posted by Vivien

*wonders if he's going to shoot her now*

Shoot ? No. I can imagine some VERY interesting things I'd rather do to you, but even a very faint description would get ME banned, YOU blushing and probably fainting, and the rest of the male SYM population rush of to the COLD shower after reading it ....

No worries, I won't post it...

Beldin

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:42 am

Originally posted by Beldin
@Viv: Since I left the SPAM - question to "your common sense" , I'm NOT surprised that *cough* SOMEONE *cough* started to spam it up...

Shoot ? No. I can imagine some VERY interesting things I'd rather do to you, but even a very faint description would get ME banned, YOU blushing and probably fainting, and the rest of the male SYM population rush of to the COLD shower after reading it ....

No worries, I won't post it...

Beldin

Hmm...I should try to get it back on topic?

Sort of on topic, you mentioned you sport? What do you hunt?
You can give me a hint, now I'm curious!

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:47 am

Originally posted by Vivien
I had blamed it on HLD installing cameras

Not me . . . this time. Although if someone is installing cameras, and is offering streaming video of what goes on in Vivien's house, I will be the first person to sign up for that service.

Beldin · Post by **Beldin** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:48 am

@Viv: Thanks for getting back on topic.

No we don't hunt (I don't like hurting animals and/or people - unless I'm attacked first.) .

We just shoot "for fun" - and whoever scores most get's free drinks afterwards...(NEVER drink before taking a weapon in your hand !!! ) .

@all: I'm inviting you all over to the current location of our shine-filled hottub (here) - for further spamming .
I would appreciate if this thread received only related SPAM.

No worries,

Beldin

Ode to a Grasshopper · Thu May 23, 2002 7:49 am

Originally posted by Beldin
@Viv: Since I left the SPAM - question to "your common sense" , I'm NOT surprised that *cough* SOMEONE *cough* started to spam it up...

Shoot ? No. I can imagine some VERY interesting things I'd rather do to you, but even a very faint description would get ME banned, YOU blushing and probably fainting, and the rest of the male SYM population rush of to the COLD shower after reading it ....

No worries, I won't post it...

Beldin

Not to mention getting your SO furious, @Beldin.

@HLD-Me too. Let me know if you hear anything.

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:57 am

Okay, I understand how you use your guns more now. I don't consider you a maniac.

I will admit I don't understand why people go and hunt baby deer and rabbits. Wasn't there a study about a connection between people who abuse animals being much more likely to abuse people? Is hunting abuse?

I think, in the US at least...the gun problem is very political right now. It's currently firmly in the hands of the Republicans, holding it up as one of the freedoms that the evil Democrats are trying to take away.

Just yesterday I was told that there were a lot more of 'them' than me (a 'liberal enemy to freedom'), and they had the guns to get us out of 'their' country. Granted, I assumed this person was crazy at the time, but there are people who think like that and they are not helping the gun cause in the US.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Thu May 23, 2002 8:05 am

I personally think hunting is a waste of time. Some of the "hunters" I know aren't really serious about it; they just want to go out with their buddies, get away from their wives, drink beer and play with firearms. These people are dangerous. Some people call me "soft" because I don't like to get up early, go out in the cold and rain to wait for a deer to walk by my tree stand so I can shoot it, but if I can't pick it up at Publix, Kroger's or the local seafood market, I certainly don't want to clean and eat it.

My brother in law is a hunter and he takes it very seriously and is possibly the most safety-obsessed gun owner in the country. He doesn't just shoot animals left and right, but if he does kill something, he usually eats or uses as much of it as possible. This, in my opinion, is the spirit of a true hunter; he's fulfilling the basic food gathering need that is the basis for all hunting and he's not just in it for the sport.

It is these people who are losing out in the gun control debate which seems polarised between complete prohibition and having armed camps with more firepower than some small South American governments. He doesn't want a Mark 19 grenade launcher mounted on his truck, but nor does he want guns taken away from everyone. He is a law-abiding citizen who likes to take his son out during deer season for some firearm-safety lessons and quality time.

Unfortunately, on the gun control issue, there are only two stances and no one can find the middle ground.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Thu May 23, 2002 9:42 am

Originally posted by HighLordDave

Unfortunately, on the gun control issue, there are only two stances and no one can find the middle ground.

I think this line covers the entire gun debate...

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu May 23, 2002 10:23 am

Although this is changing, Japan has long had one of the lowest violent crime rates in the world.......
Guns are illegal in Japan.....

That being said, I do not personally have any problems with hunting in and of itself....I actually believe it is far more ethical to hunt than it is to buy meat in a supermarket....

However....how do you go about creating balance.....? The majority of gun owners most likely are responsible, but how do we go about dealing with those that are not? How do we decide between the interests of the individual and the interests of the larger society? I think one issue with guns is that in the heat of a given moment they can do so much irrevocable damage, so quickly and so easily.

I have read of suggestions that anybody applying for a licence to own firearms should be required to undergo careful psychological evaluation....but that opens up an entirely different can of worms.... Indeed...several cans...

I suppose my initial response to your question is that I feel gun ownership should be strictly limited, if not outrightly prohibited......but I am aware of the thorniness inherent to the issue.

frogus · Post by **frogus** » Thu May 23, 2002 10:41 am

I think guns should be banned. It works pretty well over here. I just don't need to worry about getting shot because noone has guns, which is nice. I don't know how I'd feel if I knew that my next door neighbour could kill me at a second's notice, and more importantly, I don't know how I'd feel when if my dad had a gun in his desk. When I am sad, my options are:
Deal with it.
Cry and sulk.

Who knows what'd happen if my options were:
Deal with it.
Cry and sulk.
Shoot up my school.
Kill myself.

In my opinion, guns have no decent use other than killing people. Sure, you can kill deers with them, but I think that forbidding a tiny minority from blowing up animals is a small price to pay for the safety that a ban on guns would bring...

However; I can't really imagine a country with guns - of course on the movies, everyone has a gun, and in real life (my real life) noone has a gun - so I kind of imagine the USA in different lights. I would be interested in real life examples of people's contact with guns. How many of you USA-ers have a gun? Do you know people with guns? Do you ever see them around? How easily could you get one if you wanted one?

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Thu May 23, 2002 10:53 am

@frogus:
I could legally get a gun very easily. Wal-Mart carries lots of shotguns and sporting rifles and there are no background checks or waiting periods.

I could also illegally get a gun very easily, if I knew where to look (I don't, but could find out if I wanted to).

It is my experience that most people do not own guns of any kind (I do not), and of those who do, the vast majority are very safety-conscious and would not use them for illegal activities or in a domestic dispute.

However, my experience is that of the middle-class segment that is not often associated with gang violence, violent crimes other associations with firearms. That is, if you talked to someone from inner city Los Angeles or Compton, their experience with guns is probably very different from mine.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Thu May 23, 2002 10:54 am

Originally posted by frogus
How many of you USA-ers have a gun? Do you know people with guns? Do you ever see them around? How easily could you get one if you wanted one?

1. I have a 12 gauge (single shot) shotgun.
It is the breakable type. Meaning the barrel can be changed. (10, 12 and 16 gauge) I got it when I was 16, (After taking a hunters safety class and passing) and have not used it since I was 18.

Right now the stock (firing part) is in the attic in a chest. The barrel is now gone. Rust took a toll on it and I threw it away.

2. Yes I know people with guns.

3. It matters if I go to their house, then yes I would see the guns in their gun cases.

4. Since my record is clean, (Surprizing isn't it) I could get a gun pretty easily. I believe the waiting period is a week here now (5 days). First, go to the country sherrif's office and fill out the form. Wait five days and then you can own a gun.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:17 am

Originally posted by frogus

However; I can't really imagine a country with guns - of course on the movies, everyone has a gun, and in real life (my real life) noone has a gun - so I kind of imagine the USA in different lights. I would be interested in real life examples of people's contact with guns. How many of you USA-ers have a gun? Do you know people with guns? Do you ever see them around? How easily could you get one if you wanted one?

I have never seen a loaded gun in my life (other than an air rifle). I live in a big city, and occasionally (though rare in comparison to some countries) you hear of shootings...these are generally gang shootings. It appears if you really want a firearm - even though they are illegal - you can get one...just as you can find out how to make explosives. If I ever wanted a gun - I would not have a clue where to start looking. Then I could never see a reason why I would want one.

I feel safer living in a society where guns are illegal (except for licensed shotguns at shooting clubs). 'Accidents' with firearms tend to have a more tragic outcome. I understand there are more responsible gun owners than irresponsible, but the one or two that do not respect their weapons can be responsible for someone's death. If a government cannot police the individuals, then they should police the whole issue of gun ownership.

The same with drink driving. A vehicle is a dangerous weapon, and in my opinion it should be considered that there is no 'safe' alcohol limit, there should be zero alcohol for drivers. *shrugs*

As to hunting, if I had to kill my own dinner I would be a vegetarian

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:19 am

Posted by Viv

I believed guns were only used by inbred right-wing red-neck loonies down south like Bloodstalker.* *hug*

LMAO if you weren't so damn adorable....

As far as hunting goes, I agree with HLD, there are some scary and dangerous *hunters* out there....(look, that bush is moving, must be a deer, shoot it) Still, I like deer meat, and i have yet to be able to find it in a store.

@Frogus, I have owned guns, not currently though. As far as knowing someone who owns a gun, well, most everyone I know around here does. It's a redneck loonie thing.

I don't se the US as ever being able to completely ban the ownership of guns. I think that the concept of gun ownership is to tightly knit to the way Americans view their lives. It is like a cultural thing. Even the majority of people I have known who didnt own guns felt that people should have a right to own one.

And yeah, it is pretty easy to get a gun, although it is somewhat more difficult to buy a handgun than a rifle. At least it was the last time I bought one. The regulations were more strict.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:29 am

I know someone in the Marines (Royal) and he has just come back from Afghanistan. Speaking with him, he spoke about how the Americans ALWAYS had at least a handgun with them. US officials out there always had four Delta surrounding them with handguns. Why bother? The officials were non-descript soldiers, they didn't look any different to ordinary blokes.

I know that the US constitution says that they are allowed guns, but why carry guns in the secure bases of America in Afghanistan. Needless to say, the RM's called Delta Force, the Delta Farce.

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:37 am

Originally posted by Bloodstalker

LMAO if you weren't so damn adorable....

As far as hunting goes, I agree with HLD, there are some scary and dangerous *hunters* out there....(look, that bush is moving, must be a deer, shoot it) Still, I like deer meat, and i have yet to be able to find it in a store.

@Frogus, I have owned guns, not currently though. As far as knowing someone who owns a gun, well, most everyone I know around here does. It's a redneck loonie thing.

Rofl! You had to go and prove my point

*hug*

Up here in the civilized north

D) it's a bit different. I have only known one person in my personal life to own a gun, a guy I babysat for when I was 15, and yes he would come home with dead and bloody deer... *shivers*

I live in a city atmosphere currently and I haven't seen any people with guns, but that doesn't mean they don't have them. *shrugs*

As for getting a gun myself? I wouldn't know where to start.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:50 am

whoa, two hugs in one thread. I'm on fire today.

And don't tell me about the civilized north, I spent the first 17 years of my life just outside of Washington D.C. I KNOW what goes on in those places.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:58 am

Originally posted by Bloodstalker
Still, I like deer meat, and i have yet to be able to find it in a store.

In Alabama, you find deer meat in a store for sell, someone is going to jail.

Now from the area I'm from, last year there was two fatalities from hunting accidents and both where from the people falling from tree stands. And one of these was a bow hunter.